In praise of the Endura.

[Ken C.]

Over the past few years I have gained some newfound appreciation of Spyderco knives, mainly the Endura. I bought my first Endura way back in 1991. I bought it at the BX/PX and paid about $30 for it. It was in the clamshell packaging. I had never heard of Spyderco until that moment. I carried it thorugh the Gulf War and then as a firefighter. Spydercos now reside in the pockets of many of my fellow firefighters. I carry several in my turnout gear and of course one of them is a 3rd Gen. Endura. Since I started using and carrying them I have had many Spydies pass through my hands but somehow I wind up with an Endura left over. I recently picked up a SS Endura CE and a SS Delica CE. To say I'm happy is an understatement. I'm so impressed with the new models that tomorrow I will have a 4th Gen FRN Endura and Delica in my possession. My 1st Gen. Endura is still hard at work. I passed it along to my father-in-law who uses it everyday.

 

[IUKE12]

How about that, I discovered Spyderco and the Endura in 1991 as well. I cannot recall where I bought it, I do remember picking up the funny looking knife and instantly understanding the useful purpose of the shape and design. I shelved my Buck 110 the very same day. I still have that old Endura although not in service anymore. I have four to choose from these days, love the Endura.

 

[zenheretic]

Although many knife knuts start off with Spydercos as one of their first quality pieces, they often "graduate" to higher end stuff, and then further into the custom world.

Pretty cool that those folks can come back and still appreciate a Spyderco.

 

[JD223]

I think it was 1989 when I bought my first spyderco, which was an endura, at a local flea market. I had never heard of them before. I was just a kid and my dad and grandfather only carried the old case, buck, queen, and imperial/schrade knives. My dad was a cop and after seeing me use my endura, he went and bought one too. He was the first in his department to carry spyderco, but after a few of his friends saw how fast it could be deployed and that handy little plastic clip built-in, not to mention the amazing cutting qualities, several spydercos showed up in the department.

 

[TEB]

My first Spydie was a FRN Delica with the molded clip in SE. I bought it when that model first came out. It could have been right around '91 maybe a bit earlier.

My FRN / molded clip Delica lasted up until a few months ago where it failed to lock up anymore due to heavy abuse.

I have a Endura4 SE in my bug out bag and a Delica4 SS / SE in rotation.

 

[Glock27]

IMHO...The FRN Endura is the "Greatest Knife Ever Made"...for the money. I couldn't imagine not having one clipped to my pocket. I have lots of more expensive Spydies, but I *always* carry an Endura.
G27

 

[flipe8]

Although many knife knuts start off with Spydercos as one of their first quality pieces, they often "graduate" to higher end stuff, and then further into the custom world.

Pretty cool that those folks can come back and still appreciate a Spyderco.

You know, Zen, I bet a fair number of knife knuts could come back to the Spydies and find they aren't missing much in comparison to high-end or customs. I remember someone(I think it was TKC) stating that customs have some of the maker's soul in them and I agree. But that being said, the fact that these knives are tools through and through(even the more fancy ones), I think most users really appreciate them for just that. I've now had a few CRKs, Striders and one custom from Kevin Wilkins and I think they are all well-built knives, but my humble Spydercos are certainly in the same league when pure performance is measured. I have wondered out loud how many times someone carrying a $300+ knife stops to consider the consequences of using their knife for something that is bound to cause damage? I EDC a Small Sebenza and was at a call the other day where I thought about the possible need for a knife and was extremely happy that I had my Salt in my pocket so I wouldn't have to use my Seb. So I wouldn't have to use my Seb...That along with a number of small things that I've been thinking about lately is bringing me to the conclusion that I'm starting to question the need for my Seb at all. I've already gotten rid of all of my other high-end knives and am starting to think about all the knives I sold, 20some Spydies, order to get the high-end knives, with regret. I now believe I sold many Safe Queen Spydies that sat in my closet, eventhough they were probably better suited to my real-life needs. Not because the high-end knives weren't worth their prices, but because I wouldn't use them as hard as the tools they ultimately were.
This is just my opinion and doesn't mean others don't use their knives hard, but perhaps my definition is different than someone elses'.

 

[allenC]

flipe8, that was an excellent post!

After using it for awhile, I'm ready to declare the Endura 4 as the best one-hand-pocketclip folder currently in production!

It really has it all:

Light-weight but still very strong.
Outstanding blade-steel.
Tip-up, tip-down, left or right hand carry options.
Wave or no wave opening.
Serrated or plain-edge.
100% reliable and very strong lock.
And all for less than $60.00 dollars!

I don't know of any knife that trumps the Endura 4.

 

[spyderknut]

Started for me with a first gen Endura also. I don't miss the FRN clips. The evolution to current gen Delica/Endura has been fun to watch. They are so near perfect now that it is hard to tell where to go next.

 

[Simple Man]

I haven't found any that "fit" better than a SS E4.

 

[Active Verb]

flipe8, that was an excellent post!

After using it for awhile, I'm ready to declare the Endura 4 as the best one-hand-pocketclip folder currently in production!

It really has it all:

Light-weight but still very strong.
Outstanding blade-steel.
Tip-up, tip-down, left or right hand carry options.
Wave or no wave opening.
Serrated or plain-edge.
100% reliable and very strong lock.
And all for less than $60.00 dollars!

I don't know of any knife that trumps the Endura 4.

If you are in a 3 inch- blade jurisdiction, gimme Delica. Same pluses and minuses in a legal package.

 

[Active Verb]

flipe8, that was an excellent post!

After using it for awhile, I'm ready to declare the Endura 4 as the best one-hand-pocketclip folder currently in production!

It really has it all:

Light-weight but still very strong.
Outstanding blade-steel.
Tip-up, tip-down, left or right hand carry options.
Wave or no wave opening.
Serrated or plain-edge.
100% reliable and very strong lock.
And all for less than $60.00 dollars!

I don't know of any knife that trumps the Endura 4.

Still think you were treated unfairly in the Hair incident. What's done is done. Still love your Buck!

 

[Boats]

Given my recent ode to the BRG Endura in ZDP-189 I already think the home run has been hit. The only places I can see for "improvement" for Gen 5 is to put in a steel spacer in to contain the locking bar and complete the metallic "bones" of the new Endura, and offer aftermarket or mini-runs of different color FRN scales.

Right off, I'd be interested in Enduras or scales in Blaze Orange, navy blue, and coyote brown. Limited edition wood/micarta/fibermascus scales would be pretty cool too now that the FRN is not really the structure of the knife.

 

[Pahtoocara]

Thank you Spyderco, and Mr. Glesser, for the Endura 4 Wave. This is the best Endura to date.

I am recommending it to everyone I train with. :thumbup: :thumbup:

 

[one2gofst]

I actually love the first gen. FRN Spydies for IWB in a pair of gym shorts. No worries about the clip being too tight and a nice lightweight package that won't make your drawers sag. In fact I have done everything from lifting weights to playing raquetball to TAing a SCUBA class with an old gen 1 SE Delica in my waistband.

 

[Ken C.]

I received my Foliage Green E4 CE and D4 CE. Here are some pics with my SS versions. They are all set up for lefthand tip down carry. Black versions are next.

 

[allenC]

Still think you were treated unfairly in the Hair incident. What's done is done. Still love your Buck!

Thanks.
And YES, I still love my Buck 110!

But I must confess...
Recently I bought a Leatherman Blast and it has become my EDC multi-tool, and the weight of the Blast AND the weight of the 110 is just a little too much.
So I now find myself EDC'ing the Blast and the Endura 4.

 

[Simple Man]

Those look good KV, here's my SS PE E4 EDC. Set for tip up, the only way, and thinned out somewhat. It had a polished edge also, but that is mostly gone now.

 

[Maqua]

I've had my Endura since '93 and it is now serving duty as my jogging partner.

 

[omaha-beenglockin]

Must have been 7 or 8 years ago--maybe longer---I bought myself a little stainless handled Delica(plain blade)--like Sept--Oct-ish----it got to be around Christmas time and my Mom asked what I wanted----told her I wanted a full serrated Delica----had never tried a full serrated and wanted to give it a try.

Anyway the day comes---I open the box and behold this monster(Half and half stainless handled Endura)---first thought was WOW this knife is huge-----gave it a try anyway---it became my EDC for years---and now own like 6 Endura's---the little Delica gathers dust in the sock drawer.

The last 10 months or so my EDC has been a full sized Griptilian---but just ordered a Walmart Native to give it a try.